Group: How One Therapist and a Circle of Strangers Saved My Life

Group: How One Therapist and a Circle of Strangers Saved My Life

  • Downloads:2820
  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2021-09-14 09:51:35
  • Update Date:2025-09-07
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Christie Tate
  • ISBN:1471197905
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

The refreshingly original debut memoir of a guarded, over-achieving, self-lacerating young lawyer who reluctantly agrees to get psychologically and emotionally naked in a room of six complete strangers—her psychotherapy group—and in turn finds human connection, and herself。

Christie Tate had just been named the top student in her law school class and finally had her eating disorder under control。 Why then was she driving through Chicago fantasizing about her own death? Why was she envisioning putting an end to the isolation and sadness that still plagued her despite her achievements?

Enter Dr。 Rosen, a therapist who calmly assures her that if she joins one of his psychotherapy groups, he can transform her life。 All she has to do is show up and be honest。 About everything—her eating habits, childhood, sexual history, etc。 Christie is skeptical, insisting that that she is defective, beyond cure。 But Dr。 Rosen issues a nine-word prescription that will change everything: “You don’t need a cure。 You need a witness。”

So begins her entry into the strange, terrifying, and ultimately life-changing world of group therapy。 Christie is initially put off by Dr。 Rosen’s outlandish directives, but as her defenses break down and she comes to trust Dr。 Rosen and to depend on the sessions and the prescribed nightly phone calls with various group members, she begins to understand what it means to connect。

Group is a deliciously addictive read, and with Christie as our guide—skeptical of her own capacity for connection and intimacy, but hopeful in spite of herself—we are given a front row seat to the daring, exhilarating, painful, and hilarious journey that is group therapy—an under-explored process that breaks you down, and then reassembles you so that all the pieces finally fit。

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Reviews

Sam

This book really touched me。 I wasn't sure at the start but it brings up a lot of questions about all the secrets we live with, all the shame。 Love the ending。 This book really touched me。 I wasn't sure at the start but it brings up a lot of questions about all the secrets we live with, all the shame。 Love the ending。 。。。more

Regan

The writing for this book was compelling, and I connected with the author’s story of her journey, struggles and all。Mostly, though, I was confused and irritated by the unorthodox rules her therapist had for the groups the author attended several times a week。 This is only because of my own experience with various therapy groups, though。 Those groups asked for things like privacy for other clients, not “rescuing” one another (not handing over a box of tissues/interrupting to give a hug), showing The writing for this book was compelling, and I connected with the author’s story of her journey, struggles and all。Mostly, though, I was confused and irritated by the unorthodox rules her therapist had for the groups the author attended several times a week。 This is only because of my own experience with various therapy groups, though。 Those groups asked for things like privacy for other clients, not “rescuing” one another (not handing over a box of tissues/interrupting to give a hug), showing up on time or not at all, no crosstalk, etc。 Tiny personal complaint: I listened to the audiobook of this, and I wish it hadn’t been read by the author。 Her vocal rhythms often made intense moments feel monotonous, so, for me, the overall emotional impact was flattened。 。。。more

Brian Hasbrouck

"I heard East Coast vowels""There can be no intimacy without saying no"Very funny in moments "I heard East Coast vowels""There can be no intimacy without saying no"Very funny in moments 。。。more

Grace Li

Absolutely astonishing。 This book cracked my heart open and overturned my perspective on so many things--honesty, vulnerability, self-worth, relationships, more。 The kind of book I think everyone should read。

Amy Zlatarich

Loved this book! And not because we’re about the same age and both in Chicago at the same time, but because it’s real。 Real, true transparency。 Hiding wounds, no matter where they started or how they got there, is death。 Faking life on social media is a trap。 Discovering who you are, while being open and honest about EVERYTHING brings authentic relationships。 Thanks Christie!!! Couldn’t put this book down!

Michelle

Oh @reesesbookclub, you picked another good one! After reading GROUP by Christie Tate, I had a very strong impulse to move to NYC and find this psychiatrist to receive group therapy。 Not really, but really。 Really。 From the first chapter, this book drew me in and I couldn’t put it down。 Christie is one of my new heroes。 She gets so vulnerable, so real, so authentic, so raw。 She leaves out no detail of her messy life and how she harnesses the power of group therapy to perform the hard work of rec Oh @reesesbookclub, you picked another good one! After reading GROUP by Christie Tate, I had a very strong impulse to move to NYC and find this psychiatrist to receive group therapy。 Not really, but really。 Really。 From the first chapter, this book drew me in and I couldn’t put it down。 Christie is one of my new heroes。 She gets so vulnerable, so real, so authentic, so raw。 She leaves out no detail of her messy life and how she harnesses the power of group therapy to perform the hard work of reclaiming her life。 If you want a memoir that finds and taps into a new voice within your being, read this。 I’m so glad I did, because it changed how I look at “works in progress” and truly, aren’t we all just that。 。。。more

Karianne Stinson

I'm torn on this book。 I could relate a lot to the author's experiences, but I didn't find her likeable。 Especially later into the book。 I also have trouble with the lack of confidentiality and read after I started this book, that the author won't respect her own child's request for confidentiality。 There are parts that were good reminders and even helpful for someone facing similar challenges with vulnerability and intimacy, but I think there are probably other books that could do that better。 I'm torn on this book。 I could relate a lot to the author's experiences, but I didn't find her likeable。 Especially later into the book。 I also have trouble with the lack of confidentiality and read after I started this book, that the author won't respect her own child's request for confidentiality。 There are parts that were good reminders and even helpful for someone facing similar challenges with vulnerability and intimacy, but I think there are probably other books that could do that better。 。。。more

Samira Thompson

Funny。 Real。 Insightful。 Hopeful。

Cynthia Gannon

Not a typical book I would read but interesting nonetheless。

Nicole

⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2Christie Tate is beyond brutally honest in the memoir about her journey with group therapy。 Part of me wanted to drop kick her throughout this book。 (Just break UP with him already!) But it’s all part of her process and Dr。 Rosen would definitely pay his chest and tell her to take it to the group。

Julia Winkler

I enjoyed this read; I found her experiences just relatable enough to hook me, but also so different at the same time。 It felt very raw and that she could seamlessly shift tones while still seeming consistently authentic。

Whitney Delgado

I've seen this book everywhere and it seems like it would be good。 It was ok, there were definitely interesting parts but the overall story was not for me。 I love that this book is about therapy and how it helped people, but the author has a very w0e-is-me tone throughout the whole book。 She has trauma, but her obsession with getting married and being with someone didn't sit well with me。 I've seen this book everywhere and it seems like it would be good。 It was ok, there were definitely interesting parts but the overall story was not for me。 I love that this book is about therapy and how it helped people, but the author has a very w0e-is-me tone throughout the whole book。 She has trauma, but her obsession with getting married and being with someone didn't sit well with me。 。。。more

Kim

Overall, I read this book at a time in my life where I felt like I connected to Christie and her willingness to try anything to feel better。 I could have taken less of the dating scenes, but acknowledge they served a purpose。 I did not like the therapist’s over the top prescriptions and what sometimes felt like manipulation to get his clients to where they “should” be…。also zero confidentiality…。not for me。 But that aside, this story touched me, mostly in how we all should be accepting of our fe Overall, I read this book at a time in my life where I felt like I connected to Christie and her willingness to try anything to feel better。 I could have taken less of the dating scenes, but acknowledge they served a purpose。 I did not like the therapist’s over the top prescriptions and what sometimes felt like manipulation to get his clients to where they “should” be…。also zero confidentiality…。not for me。 But that aside, this story touched me, mostly in how we all should be accepting of our feelings, embrace them and not be one bit ashamed of taking care of ourselves and seeking out those people who can be true support。 。。。more

Lisa

This was an memoir that took me in。 It makes me want to start group therapy。

Parisa

Completely bats, totally unethical therapy and I couldn't put it down! Completely bats, totally unethical therapy and I couldn't put it down! 。。。more

Julie Wilson

This was a waste of time and I wish I had quit while I still had brain cells。 It’s seems that all therapy/memoir books revolve around sexual issues。 And it got old fast。 I kept waiting for it to redeem itself—it didn’t。

Christine Cox

Ugh… self absorbing and depressing! Couldn’t finish!The world needs greater mental health for all, not just for the entitled who have the time and influence to publish…give me a f***** break and get over yourself and move forward in the world。

Liz Dougherty

As a “tenured” group member, this book, the group members, Christie & Dr。 Rosen’s unorthodox prescriptives really touched my scored heart。 Group isn’t for everyone, but it was a 5 ✨’s for me。

Shelby Deason

I loved this book! It was such a funny and relatable story。 I loved hearing Christie’s honest thoughts, no matter how dark, illogical, sad, or bold。 Quirky and worth the read!

Mackenziekolton

A very good read。 Follows a human trying to figure her life out through attending Group therapy。 Funny moments, relatable moments, sad moments, brutally truthful moments。 A very quick read that hooks you from the beginning。 I admire the author’s vulnerability and transparency

Ryan Covlove

Heartwarming, authentic, and vulnerable writing that just begs you to finish it。 Christie took her experiences and crafted a genuine memoir about the ugly parts of ourselves and therapy。

Nancy

I loved this。 Listened to it, read by the author。 It's painful, joyous, funny, sad, and thoroughly entertaining。 👍👍 I loved this。 Listened to it, read by the author。 It's painful, joyous, funny, sad, and thoroughly entertaining。 👍👍 。。。more

Julie

I really got into this book。 Although all group therapy isn't the same, this is one account。 The writer, and I don't know if she's aware of this, wrote about herself as having a temper tantrum every so often and I have to say, I thought that was realistic and refreshing to not speak of yourself like the world is wrong and you're right。 If you pay attention, you can see the evolution through her mistakes。 Mistakes that needed to be made to get to the result you want。 I really got into this book。 Although all group therapy isn't the same, this is one account。 The writer, and I don't know if she's aware of this, wrote about herself as having a temper tantrum every so often and I have to say, I thought that was realistic and refreshing to not speak of yourself like the world is wrong and you're right。 If you pay attention, you can see the evolution through her mistakes。 Mistakes that needed to be made to get to the result you want。 。。。more

C。M。 Chafin

"I can be mad at you and still love you, you know。"No, actually, I didn't know that。 I had no idea。 (Tate, 110)All I'd ever done with anger was swallow it or throw it up。 Now it was pouring out, messy and loud。 (Tate, 133)I am a huge fan of memoirs, and this one is no exception。 I was surprised seeing ratings for this at a 2 star and less because someone doesn't like self-help books (this isn't a self-help book) or because the therapist was in their eyes unethical (this isn't a dissertation on p "I can be mad at you and still love you, you know。"No, actually, I didn't know that。 I had no idea。 (Tate, 110)All I'd ever done with anger was swallow it or throw it up。 Now it was pouring out, messy and loud。 (Tate, 133)I am a huge fan of memoirs, and this one is no exception。 I was surprised seeing ratings for this at a 2 star and less because someone doesn't like self-help books (this isn't a self-help book) or because the therapist was in their eyes unethical (this isn't a dissertation on proper therapy)。 To me, the latter is like rating Helter Skelter 1 or 2 stars because the Manson family killed people。 This is real life and this is what she experienced。 The point is to read and acknowledge that, but I digress。I found this one very similar to Wild, which is another memoir I enjoyed。 At first, I didn't relate fully with the writer, but around 110 I finally started really digging her story and growth。 My only complaint is the error her editors didn't catch: she celebrates her thirty-fourth birthday twice accidentally。 Once with Brandon then a year later with John。 。。。more

Jill

Easy read and it moved quickly。 Not sure I’ll remember it a year from now。

Rob

Arielle recommended this to me, and I found myself pretty entertained throughout。 I really enjoyed Tate's reading。 I found the story to be occasionally a little too focused on romantic relationships, and Dr。 Rosen's techniques definitely lived on the unorthodox/unethical border。 But I'm surprised at so many negative reviews here。 I though it was honest and funny。 Tate didn't acknowledge her privilege quite enough for my tastes, but it was a good memoir。 I'm curious to read why so many folks had Arielle recommended this to me, and I found myself pretty entertained throughout。 I really enjoyed Tate's reading。 I found the story to be occasionally a little too focused on romantic relationships, and Dr。 Rosen's techniques definitely lived on the unorthodox/unethical border。 But I'm surprised at so many negative reviews here。 I though it was honest and funny。 Tate didn't acknowledge her privilege quite enough for my tastes, but it was a good memoir。 I'm curious to read why so many folks had such issues。 。。。more

Ashlee

Okay。 So, this therapist was completely whacked out of his mind and definitely had some sort of savior complex, mixed with a bit of Freud fascination and a dose of unethical morals。 BUT, the conversation about the importance of therapy, the intensity of group therapy, the struggles of maintaining relationships with people who don’t understand therapy, and the potentially lifelong aspect of therapy was done really well。

Julie

2。5 stars。 Well。 Not really sure what to say about this one。 At first I listened (to the audiobook) raptly as the author described her experiences in group therapy。 Her honesty in sharing her story was admirable … but then it got to be a bit much for me。 Some of the therapy techniques appalled me, her behaviour was hard to feel sympathy for, and I couldn’t help wondering how her childhood friend would feel listening to the description of their shared trauma … it seemed as though it wasn’t the au 2。5 stars。 Well。 Not really sure what to say about this one。 At first I listened (to the audiobook) raptly as the author described her experiences in group therapy。 Her honesty in sharing her story was admirable … but then it got to be a bit much for me。 Some of the therapy techniques appalled me, her behaviour was hard to feel sympathy for, and I couldn’t help wondering how her childhood friend would feel listening to the description of their shared trauma … it seemed as though it wasn’t the author’s story to tell, and it made me uncomfortable。 It’s always hard to review a memoir, because it sounds like she is much happier now, and it takes a lot of courage to put yourself out there like that … but I can’t really recommend this - it just left me feeling a little uneasy。 。。。more

Anthony Carrasquillo

I know that it’s not for everyone。 The reviews are mixed。 For me, I loved this book。 A great listen。 I’ve not felt emotions with characters as I did with this。 I was upset when she was sad, I laughed with her, I cheered at her triumphs。 I really didn’t want to read a non-fiction book for this challenge, but I loved this and I’m so glad that I did。 The doc is a bit fucked up。 TW: sexual assault, suicidal thoughts, eating disorders, etc etc etc。

Alyssa

There were many times I thought I'd put this book down and never pick it back up again。 Yet somehow I found myself at the end。 This book was okay, but I don't think I'd reread it。 I can relate to the narrator and I appreciate the raw feelings。 However I can't escape the odd feelings of manipulation and codependency。 I'm glad it worked for Christie in the end。 There were many times I thought I'd put this book down and never pick it back up again。 Yet somehow I found myself at the end。 This book was okay, but I don't think I'd reread it。 I can relate to the narrator and I appreciate the raw feelings。 However I can't escape the odd feelings of manipulation and codependency。 I'm glad it worked for Christie in the end。 。。。more